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rugby book surprise entry on William Hill shortlist

Paul Kimmage's biography Engage has made the William Hill shortlist - despite missing out on the longlist

The life story of rugby player Matt Hampson, who was paralysed after a scrum collapsed, has been shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year, despite being left out of the longlist.

It is the first time that the prize has nominated a book in this way. Engage: The Fall and Rise of Matt Hampson by sports journalist Paul Kimmage (Simon & Schuster) will be the seventh book on the shortlist which includes books about bullfighting, cycling and tragic goal-keeper Robert Enke.

The spokesperson for William Hill, Graham Sharpe, said: "Although [Engage] had not been submitted for the prize at the time our longlist was announced, the members of our judging panel nevertheless agreed to consider it once it was brought to their attention, the outcome being that they have indicated they feel it merits inclusion on the shortlist." Kimmage was won the prize in 1990.

The winner of the £27,500 award will be announced on 28th November.

The shortlist in full:

Among The Fans: From Ashes to the Arrows, a Year of Watching the Watchers by Patrick Collins (Wisden Sports Writing)

Into The Arena: The World of the Spanish Bullfight by Alexander Fiske-Harrison (Profile Books)

The Ghost Runner: The Tragedy of the Man They Couldn't Stop by Bill Jones (Mainstream Publishing)